Archives

A message from the series “Christmas.” What do you remember from your earliest days on planet earth? I so enjoyed hearing my mother’s memories of those days. Black and white pictures of my dad sitting with me a dock on a lake in northern Minnesota, remind me of who I am and how I came to be the husband and dad that I am today. So, to what do you attribute to your understanding of who you are and why you are here? This past week, I was refreshed by the reflections of Pastor David Jeremiah in his little book, Why the Nativity? I am very familiar with the historic record of the life of Jesus, written by Doctor Luke, “Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men” (Lk. 2:52). How do you think Jesus was influenced by things like the memories of His parents, the ministry of angels, His solitude in prayer, and His obedience to His Heavenly Father? Think about it. Jesus, the Lord of the Universe, truly humbled himself and grew as He practiced obedience to the Father’s will and the plan fashioned by the Holy Trinity.

A message from the series “Pastor Dennis.” The cold shroud of night had closed around Jerusalem. In a small room near the temple a man named Asaph was awake. He could not sleep. His mind recalled the miracle at the Red Sea. Later he recorded his thoughts in Psalm 77.

Your way was through the sea,
your path through the great waters;
yet your footprints were unseen.
You led your people like a flock
by the hand of Moses and Aaron.
Psalm 77:19-20

A message from the series “Galatians.” Galatians 6:1 reminds us “…if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently.

A message from the series “Missionary Speakers.” What are the barriers in front of you that need to be demolished for you to come closer to Jesus?

A message from the series “Galatians.” Last Sunday I described gentleness as “power under control.” Power can be a blessing or a curse. The powers God has placed at our disposal are capable of abuse. The question is who’s in control?

Today our focus is on the last of the nine evidences of the fruit of the Spirit, self-control. In his commentary on Galatians, R.C. Lenski describes self-control as “holding our desires or passions in check.”

A message from the series “Galatians.” I vividly recall sitting at the table with a friend who told me he couldn’t see the reality in what Jesus said about meekness/gentleness, “The meek [or gentle] shall inherit the earth” in Matthew 5:5. He reasoned that it just doesn’t happen that way. It’s only the strong that survive. They harness their power to get what they want by brute force and manipulation.

But King David, the warrior king, wrote in Psalm 37:7-11, “Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their schemes. Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret – it leads only to evil. For evil men will be cut off. But those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land. A little while, and the wicked will be no more; though you look for them, they will not be found. But the meek will inherit the land and enjoy great peace.”

A message from the series “Galatians.” Let’s be clear about this; the world belongs to God, and everything in it. So, we belong to Him with all that we possess as well as everything we consider to be at our disposal. That includes all our time, talent, and treasure. We were bought with a price, the blood of Christ, and we are to magnify God as we walk this planet. He tells us that we are His stewards; we are managers of His stuff. It is required of a steward to be faithful. We have been talking about the fruit (tangible and intangible evidence) of the Spirit as we walk in the Spirit. Every manifestation of the Spirit is a reflection of God.

A message from the series “Amidst Hatred.” It seems like the world is getting ever crazier as the days go by…. How is the average disciple supposed to be obedient and have joy in a world that utterly hates them?

A message from the series “Missionary Speakers.” Christians are to Rejoice whenever anyone Repents

A message from the series “Galatians.” What are your expectations when you pray, read the Bible, and worship with God’s people? What makes those moments significant? What usually occupies your thoughts throughout the day, and how does that affect whether it was a good or not-so-good day? The Oxford Dictionary defines goodness as “moral excellence.” How important is it to you that goodness characterizes you? I mean, do you really want to go there? Goodness me!? Well, it is important to the One who created us in Christ Jesus, that we do good works. And, such a life is a real thing for those who walk in the Spirit.